Folding sofa-bed.



@EST Aww/ABLE GOP PATENTED AUGA `9, 1904.

L. N. BACHAND.

FOLDING SOFA BED.

APPLICATION rum 00T. 1a, 1902.

3 SHEETS-"SHEET l.

O MODEL.

FEEST AVNLABLE GOP' No' 766,924' PATBNTED AUG. 9, 1904. Ll N. BACHAND.

FOLDING SOFA BED.

APPLOATIOH FILED 00T.16, 1902.

fitto @g1g- AVALABLE CQ?"n L. N. BAGHAND.

FOLDING SOFA BBD. APPLICATION FILED oo'r.16, 1902.

Patented August 9, 1904.

UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI N. BACHAND, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

' FOLDING SOFA-BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,924, dated August9, 1904, i Application filed October 16, 1902. Serial No. 127,512. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it 71mg/ con/cern.-

Beit known that I, LEVI N. BACHAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Folding Sofa-Beds, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to sofa-beds, and has forits object the provisionof an improved construction of furniture of this character, whereby thereadjustment from sofa to bed, and vice versa, may be readily effectedand in which the construction of the various meto the other withoutmaterial effort, the apparatus being so arranged that it will permit ofreadjustment of the component parts without withdrawing the structurevery far from the wall if it should happen t'o be placed near the same.

In practicing my invention l employ two pivotally-unilled' sections,serving to constitute the seat and back of the sofa individually andtogether a bed when flattened apart. There is associated with thesepivotally-united sections of the sofa-bed mechanism for maintaining thesame in angular position guiding mechanism whereby a bodily transversemovement of the pivotally-united sections is effected. The means that Iprefer to employ for causing the vbodily-transverse movement of theangularly-related sections of the sofabed reside in a supporting-framewhich is supplied with transverse guiding means, preferably in the formof grooved ways, which desirably engage pivotal extensions of the unitedsections, upon which pivotal sections material friction between thepivotal portion of the sections and the supporting-frame.

The sections of the sofa-'bed when angularly related are adapted to bebodily swung together, and in order to effect a transverse movement ofsuch sections there is interposed between the same and thesupporting-frame ,mechanism constraining a bodily-transverse movement asthe sections are swung.

rlhe supporting-frame is preferably so disposed with relation to thebalance of the struct tions and only partially to support the other,

although I do not Wish to be limited to such an arrangement. The othersection in the desired construction, that is only thus partiallysupported by the main supportingframe, has a leg-support near its frontmargin, and in order that the device may thoroughly operate I providemechanism for adjusting the leg-support so that it may serve itsfunction when the sections are flattened apart, so that it will becollapsible when the sections are angularly related. The leg-supportpref'- erably includes two legs pivoted near the front edge of theseat-section, the legs also having' link connection with the backsection,

which link connection serves to operate the' legs to fold or collapsethe same close to the seat-section or thrust the same forward when theyare to act as supports.

rIhe 4mechanism that I employ for maintaining angular relation betweenthe sections of the sofa-bed is preferably in the form of links,

.pivoted to one section, desirably to the seat or front section, andhaving separable engagement with the rear section, there beingassociated with this link mechanism supplementary mechanism which when apredetermined relative movementbetween the sections has been effectedwill separate the links from engagement with the rear or back sectionand permit the separation or flattening of the sections.

The article of furniture is preferably .composed of metal, and in orderto give it the appearance of a wooden article of furniture itis providedwith wooden ends, that are adapted for separable engagement with themetallic structure.A In this manner the effectiveness of an expensivearticle of furniture is secured at a very low cost.

I will explain my invention more fully by IOO reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation Voftheframe of the sofa-bed dismantled, the article of furniture now actingas a sofa. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing the sofa-bedpartially transformed, the back section being horizontal and the seat orfront section being vertical preparatory to being placed horizontal.Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the sofabed structure with its seat andback sections in an intermediate Vposition of adjustment. Fig. i is anend view of the structure transformed into a bed. Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the complete article of furniture. Fig. 6 is asectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 2.4 Fig. 7 is a sectional view online 7 7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a detail Aofthe' mechanism employed for maintaining the-sections of the bed inangular relation and permitting their separation or iattening. Fig. 9 isa fragmentary sectional view vshowing the operation of the lockingmechanism. Like parts indicate similarcharacters of reference throughoutthe different figures.

The frame tof the sofa-bed is desirably 'mounted upon vcasters and isequipped with transversely-arranged guiding means, preferably in theform of achannel-iron b at each end of the structure, the channels insuch elements Z) constituting guideways for the moving sections of thesofa-bed. The back or rear section c and the front section d of thesofabed are linked or pivotally united at e, rollers f being desirablymounted upon the pivotshaft, such rollers being adapted to ride withinthe ways afforded by the channel-irons The supporting-frame a may thusbe said to engage the sofa-bed at its pivotally-uni'ted Sections.

It will be apparent that the structure so far described is one that willenable the angularly-related sections to be swung, and in or- -der tothat the swinging sections may also be bodily shifted from-horizontal tovertical, and vice versa, I employ mechanism which will constrain suchbodily movement of the angularly-related sections, this constraint beingpreferablyef'fected by means of links g, interposed between thesupporting-frame. and one of the sections of the sofa-bed, desirably theback section c. The links g and the back section c are so relativelydisposed that when the structure constitutes a sofa the back issubstantially in vertical line with the rear of the support, asindicated in Fig. l, the seatsection extending completely from the rearto the front and overhanging at the'front a slight distance.

When the article of furniture constitues a bed, the pivot is shifted tothe front of the supporting-frame, the seat-section then beingtemporarily in vertical line with the front of the supporting-frame, asindicated in Fig. 2, whereafter theA seat-section is lowered in av766,924. @EST AVAlL/BLE COF manner to be described to occupy theposition indicated in Fig. 4. In order that the sections of the sofa-bedmay thus be shifted'from place to place, I provide mechanism formaintaining the same in their angular relation while they are beingmoved from front to rear and rear to front of the supporting-frame,which mechanism is preferably in the form of links It, pivoted upon onesection, desirabl y the seat or front section, and having separablecatching engagement with the rear section, the links being preferablynotched at t', where they may engage margins of apertures -in the endrails of the section c.

After the section d has been placed in vertical alinement with the frontportion of the supporting-frame a slight forward -motion imparted tothesection d will cause the links /L to break engagement with thesection c, preferably through the instrumentality which I will nowdescribe.

There is pivotally provided upon the back section c a supplementarycatching device z', which is caught by a button when the section d ismoved forward. rlhe supplemental catch device c' is pivoted'to thesection c at c, (see Fig. 9,) and at the opposite end said catch c' isprovided with a shoulder i?, adapted to receive the shank of the buttonis. In Fig. l the notch /L of the link t is in engagement with themember c and the button 7u is shown at one side of the shoulder 2 of thecatch z'. After the angularly-adjusted members c and d have been movedtransversely to a position lwhere the member c occupies a horizontalposition, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9, the back (l is given a slightforward movement in the direction of the arrow. This causes the buttonto slide forward upon the catch z' until the shoulder 'i2 is reached.When said button engages-the shoulder il, the notch z' of the link isout of engagement with the part 02, (see Fig. 9,) and the reversemovement of the member d causes the link It, resting on the catch v1, topass beyond the part 02 of the member c. After the notch it' has passedbeyond the part the square shoulder on the catch prevents furthermovement of the catch, and thereby effects the disengagement of thebutton from the shoulder 2, after which the link la rides upon the partc2 until the notch h2 isengaged therewith, as shown in Fig. 4.

In order thatthat section of the sofa-bed which projects beyond thesupporting-frame when the sections are spread apart may be 'supported atits outer longitudinal edge, I

provide leg-supporting mechanism comprising, preferably, two legs 'Z,which are preferably linked near the forward edge of the section d. Linkmechanism m is desirably placed between theselegs and the rear or backsection c, forcing the legs to fold close to the section d when theparts are placed in rightangular relation and causing the said legs tobe thrust forward and downward when the IOO IIO

vee-,924

sections are separated and flattened. The links m are preferablylpivoted to bracket eXtension mprovidedupon the section c to clear thepivotal union between the sections and for securing desired purchaseupon the legs. The bracket extensions nare anchored to the section c bydepending brackets c', to which the extensions n are secured.

In order to impart the appearance of a wooden article of furniture, Iprovide decorative wooden end pieces o, that are desirabl y re-LAniovably secured in place by having disposed between the same and thesupport a dovetailed joints p, preferably enabling the wooden ends to bevertically moved when they are being placed in and removed fromposition.

The operation of my sofa-bed will be readily apparent. When the sofa-bedis to be transformed from the sofa (shown lin Fig'. l) to-tlie bed(shownin Fig. 4,) the front edge of the seat-section is grasped and the partsmoved to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereafter a slight forwardmotion of the seat-sec-4 tion toward the back section will effectdisconnection between the fastening-links and thel back section in themanner hereinbefore described. The seat-section may be loweredtothe-position indicated in Fig. 4E, the legs Z having by the sameoperation been thrust forward by the link mechanism m. When theStructure is to be returned to its sofa form,

the section Z is elevated until it again assumesy claim as new anddesire to secure by LettersA Fatentl. In a sofa-bed, the combinationwith two pivotally united sections thereof together forming a bed andindividually the seat and.

back of a sofa, of means for maintaining the sections in angularrelation, a supportingframe engaging the sections where theyarepivotally united, andmeans for causing the transverse movementfof thepivoted portions of the sofa-bed sections upon the supportingfi'ame whensaid sections are angularl y related and swung' together, substantiallyas described.

2. In a sofa-bed, the combination with the back and front sectionsthereof, together serv- 'ing to form a bed,and respectively the back andseat of a sofa, of means for maintaining the sections in angularrelation and permitting the separation thereof, av supporting-frameengaging the sections where they are pivotally united, link mechanisminterposed between tlie back section and the supportingframe for causinga transversemovement of the pivoted -portions of the sofa-bed upon themrsi xiv/almere cor 3 when the sections are formed into a bed andcollapsing the same when the sections are formed into a sofa,substantially as described.

3. In a sofa-bed, the combination withthe back and front sectionsthereof, together serving to form a bed and respectively the back and`seat of a sofa, of means for maintaining the sections in angularrelation and permitting the separation thereof, a catch pivoted 'uponone section and adapted to engage the other to maintain them in angularrelation, and permitting the same ,to be disengaged when the bed is tobe formed, a second catch normally Adisengaged from the former catch,but into engagement with which the former catch may be thrust todisengage said former catch fromthe vopposite sofa-bed section, asupporting-frame engagingtlie sections where they are pivotallyunited,link mechanism interposed between the back section and thesupporting-frame for causing a transverse movement of the pivotedportions of the sofabed upon the supporting-frame when Said sections areangularly related and swung, supporting-leg mechanism near the forwardedge of the front section, and link mechanism` -interposed between thesupporting-leg mechanism and the rear sofa-bed section, forcingV saidleg mechanism to assume its function as a support when the sections areformed into a bed and collapsing the same-when the sections are Vformedinto a sofa, substantiallyas described. f

, 4:. In a sofa-bed, the combination with the back and front sectionsthereof, together serving to form a-bed and respectively the back andseat of a sofa, of means for maintaining the sections in angularrelation and permitting the separation thereof, a catch pivoted upon onesection and adapted to engage the other to maintain them in angularrelation and-permitting the same to be disengaged when the bed is to beformed` a second catch upon the other section normally disengaged fromthe former catch, but into engagement with which the former catch may bethrust by a relative movement between the sofa-bed sections, todisengagefthe former catch-from the opposite bed-section, asupporting-frame engaging the sections where they are pivotallyA united,link mechanism 'interposed between tlie back section and thesupportingframe forV causing a transverse movement of the pivotedportions of the sofa-bed upon the supporting-frame lwhen said sectionsarev angularly` related and swung, supporting-leg mechanismgnear theforward edge of the front section, and link mechanism interposed be- IOOtween the supporting-leg mechanismand the rear sofa-bed section, forcingsaidl leg mechanism toV assume its lfunction as a support when thesections are formed into a bed and collapsing the same when the sectionsare formed into a sofa, substantially as described.

5. In a sofa-bed, the combination with lthe back and front sectionsthereof, together serving to form a bed and respectively the back andseat of a sofa, of a catch pivoted upon the front section and adapted toseparably engage the back section to maintain them in angular relation,a supporting-frame engaging the sections where they are pivotallyunited, link mechanism interposed between the back section and thesupporting-frame for causing a transverse movement of the pivotedportions of the'sofa-bed upon the supporting-frame when saidsectionsareangularlyrelated and swung, supporting-legmechanism near the forwardedge of the front section, and link mechanism'interposed-between thesupporting-leg mechanism andthe rear sofa-bed section, forcing said legmechanism to assume its function as a support when the sections areformed into a bed and collapsing the same whenv the sections lare formedinto a sofa, substantially as described. l i.

6. In avsofa-bed, the combination with the back and front sectionsthereof, together serving to form a bed and respectively the back andseat of a sofa, of a catch pivoted upon the front section and adapted toengage the back Section to maintain them in angular relation andpermitting the same to be disengaged when the bed is formed, a secondcatch pivoted upon the rear section, into engagement with which theformer catch may be thrust in order to effect separation between thefolded sections, a supporting-frame engaging the sections where they arepivotally united, link mechanism interposed between the back section andthe supporting-frame for causing a transverse movement of the pivotedportions of the sofa-bed upon the supportingframe when said sections areangularly related and swung, supporting-leg mechanism near the forwardedge of the front section, and link mechanism interposed between thesupporting-leg mechanism and the rear sofa-- bed section, forcing saidleg mechanism to assume its function as a support when the sections areformed into a bed and collapsing the same when the sections are formedinto a sofa, substantially as described.

7. In a sofa-bed, the combination with two pivotally-united sectionsthereof for together forming a bed and individually the back and seat ofa sofa, of means for separably maintaining the sections in angularrelation, a supporting-frame engaging th e sections where they arepivotally united, and means for causing the transverse movement of thepivoted portions of the sofa-bed sections upon the supporting-frame whensaid sections are an- A 766,924 ser AVAILABLE coiD` gularly related vandswung together, .the supporting-frame being transversely grooved to-guide the sofa-bed sections and engaging the sofa-bed sections at theirpivotal portions, substantially as described,

8. In a sofa-bed, the combination with two pivotally-united sectionsthereof for together forming a bed and individualiy the back and seat'ofa sofa, of means for maintainingthe back and front sections thereof,together serving to form a bed', and respectively the back and seat of asofa, of means for maintaining the sections in angular relation, asupportingframe, link mechanism interposed between the back section andthe supporting-frame for causing a transverse movement of the pivotedportions of the sofa-bed, supporting-leg mechanism for the frontsection, and link mechanism interposed between the supporting-legmechanism and the rear sofa-bed section, forcing said leg mechanism toassume its function as a support when the sections are formed into a bedand collapsing the same when the sections are formed into a sofa,substantially as described.

10. In a sofa-bed, the combination with the back and front sectionsthereof, together serving to form a bed, and respectively the back andvseat of a sofa, of means for maintaining the sections in angularrelation, a supportingframe, a transverse guide guiding said sections ina transverse movement, link mechanism interposed between .the backsection and the supporting-frame for causing a transverse movement ofthe pivoted portions of the sofabed, supporting-leg mechanism for thefront section, and link mechanism interposed between the supporting-legmechanism and the rear sofa-bed section, forcing said leg mechanism toassume its function as a support when the sections are formed into a bedand collapsing the same when the sections are formed into a sofa,substantially as described.

ll. In a sofa-bed, the combination with the back and front sectionsthereof, together serv ing to form a bed, and respectively the back andseat of a sofa, a supporting-frame, a transverse guide guiding saidlsections in a transverse movement, link mechanism interposed between theback section and the supportingframe for causing a transverse movementof the pivoted portions of the sofa-bed, supporting-leg mechanism forthe front section, and

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link mechanism interposed between the supporting-leg mechanism and therear sofa-bed section, forcing said leg mechanism to assu me itsfunction as a support when the sections are formed into va bed andcollapsing' the saine when the sections are formed into a sofa, sulstantially as described.

12. In a sofabed, the combination with the back and front sectionsthereof, together servingto form a bed, and respectively the back andseat of a sofa, a supporting-frame, link mechanism interposed betweenthe back section and the supporting-frame for causing a transversemovement of the pivoted portions of the sofa-bed, supporting-legmechanism for the front section, and link mechanism interposed betweenthe supporting-leg mechanism and the rear sofa-bed section, forcing saidleg mechanism to assume its function as a support when the sections areformed into a bed and collapsing the same when the sections are formedinto a sofa, substantially as described.

13. In a sofa-bed, the combination with the back and front sectionsthereof, together serving to form a bed, and respectively'the back andseat of a sofa, a supportingfframe, supporting-leg mechanism for thefront section, link mechanism interposed between the supporting-legmechanism and the rear sofa-bed section, forcing said leg mechanism toassume its function asa support when the sections are 'formed into a bedand collapsing the same when the sections are formed into a sofa, and aguide for directing the inner or pivoted portions of saidl bed intransverse movement, substantially as described.

14. In a sofa-bed, the combination with pivoted back and front sectionsthereof that together form abcd, of mechanism for maintaining thesections in angular relation, a supporting-frame, a transverse guiding'device carried by the frame engaging pivoted por tions of the sections,leg mechanism for supporting the front section when the sections areformed into a bed, and mechanism interposed between the leg mechanismand the back section causing said leg mechanism to assume its functionas a support when thesections are formed into a bed and collapsing thesame when the sections are folded: to anangular relation, substantialLsTas described.

l5. In a sofa-bed, the combination with pivoted back and front sectionsthereof that together form a bed, a supporting-frame, a transverseguiding device carried by the frame engaging pivoted portions of thesections, link mechanism interposed between the back section and thesupporting-frame for causing a transverse movement of the pivotedportions of the sofa-bed, leg mechanism for supporting the front sectionwhen the sections are formed into a bed, and mechanism interposedbetween the leg mechanism and the back section causing said legmechanism to assume its functionas a supportfwhen the sections lareformed into a bed and collapsing the same when the sections are foldedto an angular relation, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of October,A. D. 1902. LEVI N. BACHA'ND. Witnesses: .Y

GEORGE L. CRAGG, A. D. RUSSELL. l

essi? Avait/.isis coiT 5.

